Cost Accountant

Our client is a rapidly growing and well-established food manufacturing company committed to delivering high-quality products through innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. As the organization continues to expand, they are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Cost Accountant to join their finance team.

Reporting to the Controller, the Cost Accountant will play a key role in supporting financial reporting, inventory accuracy, costing analysis, and operational decision-making. This position offers significant exposure to manufacturing operations and provides an opportunity to influence profitability through effective cost management and process improvements.

Key Responsibilities

Costing & Analysis

• Maintain and update standard costing models, product costing, and Bills of Material (BOMs).
• Analyze and report on manufacturing variances, including material, labor, overhead, yield, and production efficiency variances.
• Perform margin, profitability, and cost trend analyses to support strategic business decisions.
• Review and validate production data to ensure accurate product costing and inventory valuation.

Inventory & Manufacturing Accounting

• Monitor inventory transactions and ensure accurate recording of raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods inventory.
• Participate in cycle counts and annual physical inventory counts, including reconciliation and investigation of inventory discrepancies.
• Reconcile inventory and manufacturing-related general ledger accounts and resolve variances in a timely manner.
• Ensure costing methodologies and inventory records remain accurate and aligned with accounting policies.

Month-End & Financial Reporting

• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities related to inventory and manufacturing operations.
• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Generate and analyze management reports related to production costs, inventory levels, and product profitability.
• Assist with financial reporting requirements and audit support documentation.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Business Support

• Partner with Operations, Production, Supply Chain, and Purchasing teams to develop budgets, forecasts, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Support the preparation of annual operating budgets and periodic forecasts.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational performance, inventory controls, and manufacturing processes.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to support continuous improvement initiatives.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Assist with ERP system enhancements, costing module maintenance, and process optimization projects.
• Strengthen and maintain internal controls related to inventory management and manufacturing accounting.
• Support automation and reporting improvements to increase efficiency and data accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, accounting standards, food industry regulations, GMP requirements, and health and safety practices.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• CPA designation or progress toward completion is considered an asset.

Experience

• 3+ years of progressive accounting experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or process manufacturing is preferred.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting, inventory management, standard costing, and variance analysis.
• Experience supporting month-end close and manufacturing financial reporting.
• Exposure to ERP systems and manufacturing systems
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.